December 31 Meal: Happy New Year!

For the last night of the year (but not the challenge) we went for some comfort food - ribs.  Our friends had us over for a "dress Up or Down" New Year's party.  We wore formal tops and pajama bottoms.  It also provided a chance for us to make the rest of the cocktails for the month.

Short Ribs in Red Wine and Port with Tangerine Cream Gremolata

These ribs cooked for a while, beginning with a brief broil.  You start with a "packet" of herbs wrapped in cheesecloth, including parsley, thyme, bay leaf, rosemary, star anise, and celery leaves. Saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and ginger, add in some tomato paste, wine, Port, and the herb packet.  The ribs go into the pot, then into the oven to braise for two hours.  A sauce is made from the juices and the solids are discarded, including the vegetables.

The gremolata is just a mixture of parsley, tangerine peel, and garlic.  I can't say that it added much to the ribs for us.  For me, when eating ribs I just want to enjoy the flavorful meat.  The only problem with the meat was that we used beef short ribs, which are very fatty.  I prefer pork ribs.

Yumminess: 7 out of 10

Spinach-Parmesan Souffles

I thought that you couldn't really go wrong with spinach , butter, and Parmesan cheese.  However, the texture of these souffles was quite eggy.  The taste was OK, but I wouldn't make them again.  The process begins with melting butter, whisking in flour, and adding buttermilk.  Then the spinach, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper go in.  Last, the egg whites are whipped into peaks and folded into the spinach mixture.  I do like using ramekins, making little individual portions.

Yumminess: 6 out of 10

Salmon Rilletes

So, earlier in the month I thought this recipe as going to be something like a rolled up salmon thing because of the sound of the word "rilletes."  Unfortunately, it is actually a dip made with salmon and butter.  Fish dip is not high on my list of food likes.  Shaun actually made this recipe and was the only one to try it.  He was not a fan either.

Yumminess: 3 out of 10

Hot Peppermint Patty
This is a really great winter hot cocktail.  Whole milk, bittersweet chocolate, whipping cream, creme de cacao, and peppermint extract.  It is a creamy version of hot chocolate with a mint and liquor kick.

 Yumminess: 10 out of 10

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
This is an easy way to make champagne more interesting.  Add some Cointreau, cranberry juice concentrate, and a frozen cranberry (for garnish) to your favorite champagne.  In my case, I couldn't find cranberry juice concentrate anywhere, so I boiled down some cranberry juice cocktail to get a more concentrate version.

Yumminess: 10 out of 10

Imperial Punch Royale

What's New Year's Eve without punch?  Well, it would be a normal New Year's Eve for us, but this punch was a nice fancy touch. This punch is like a Long Island Iced Tea, a bunch of different ingredients mixed together that gives you a concoction that is more alcoholic than it tastes.  It has pineapple that is soaked in brandy, leaving pineapple-flavored brandy behind, along with tawny Port, maraschino liqueur, ad Prosecco.  The topper is the ice ring, made with slices of lemon and lime.  Just place the slices in a bunt pan with water and freeze.

Yumminess: 10 out of 10